How to Choose Which Job Offer Is Right for Me?
You completed your career training, and lucky for you, your job search was successful. However, once the celebrating subsides, the reality of making a decision between two job opportunities can prove to be a challenge. Our four tips for comparing job offers can help you decide which job is right for you and encourage you to choose the position that will lead to a more fulfilling future.
1. Compare What Each Job has to Offer
Compare job offers side by side and decide what you like and don’t like about each. You might want to consider giving each item a score. For example, let’s say one job is just down the street from where you live and would be an awesomely easy commute. You’d give that a 5. Maybe the other is a bit farther away and more difficult to get to. Rank that a 1 or 2, depending on how important you consider location. Here are a few things that you may want to consider before deciding which job offer to accept:
- Sign-on bonus and/or moving expenses
- Hours
- Commute time
- Salary
- Growth opportunities
- Direct report’s management style
- Benefits (401k, health insurance, etc.)
- Company culture
2. Consider How Each Job Aligns with Your Goals
Having multiple job offers proves that your skills are in demand and that you’re a competitive prospect – congratulations. Now, it is time to put emotions to the side and start asking yourself which job best aligns with your goals and ambitions. Ask yourself, “What can this company do for me?”
If you find yourself challenged, ask yourself the following questions. If you do not know the answers, don’t be afraid to reach out to your recruiter for a follow up:
- Which job aligns best with my goals and dreams?
- Which job will offer me greater opportunities for growth and development?
- Which job will encourage me to gain new skills and challenge my current abilities?
3. Consider the Salaries Between Two Job Offers
Salary difference can vary drastically between two jobs, but you will want to look at the big picture when it comes to fulfillment. Don’t just look at your take home pay. Make sure to consider benefits and bonuses. If one employer offers a lower salary but covers a significant portion of your health insurance or matches contributions to an IRA or other retirement plan, that second employer may be a better choice in the long run.
It’s also important to consider how salary may impact your happiness. Some positions pay higher but require much longer hours which can equate to a poor work life balance. However, some people thrive off of a very busy schedule and don’t mind sacrificing nights and weekends. On the contrary, some positions may seem perfect, but may not generate adequate funds to support your lifestyle.
4. Research Company Culture to Decide Which Fits You Best
A company’s culture can have a huge impact on your happiness and overall outlook, so it’s important to consider this before committing to a new job. Take time to talk with people who work there and ask what they like—and don’t like—about the company. Asking current or former employees about their experience with a company can help you understand the culture before being immersed in it. The internet is also a great resource for researching a company’s culture. There are several review sites that allow employees to provide feedback about their experience with a company.
Before you make your final decision, find out as much as you can about the company. Run internet searches to learn about the overall financial health of the company and the image of the organization. Once you have made your final decision, politely decline the other offer.
Charter College can provide you with career training and job search assistance that will help you enter the workforce with the knowledge and experience that could make you a great employee someone would want to hire. We have programs in business, health care, information technology, veterinary assistant and some trades. Ready to change your life?